Creative Economy Week in Downtown Appleton!
The second annual Creative Economy Week, hosted in partnership by Arts Wisconsin and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, will take place May 13-20, 2017, focusing on civic engagement through the arts, creativity, and public art. This week allows cities across the entire state of Wisconsin to share the ways in which the arts play a vital role in our everyday lives.
This year’s Creative Economy Week theme is public murals! Be sure to check out the multiple murals located in Downtown Appleton (Public Art Map). Of course, if you did not take a picture with it, it did not happen…so snap those photos and post to social media using the hashtags #wisconsincew2017 and #onegreatplace to share how beautiful our city is with the rest of the state! And if you snap a photo in front of the Butterfly mural, post it on Facebook or Instagram for a chance to win a $100 Downtown Appleton gift certificate.
This week we are shining a spotlight on the arts and cultural events occurring in Downtown Appleton. Events like these are happening around all year and you may not even realize it. Be sure to check out a few of those events occurring during Creative Economy Week:
Kyle Megna & The Monsoons Single Release Show @ The Draw: May 16, 6-9pm, Live performance of their new single along with two bonus live tracks.
Rhythms & Brews @ Riverview Gardens: This weekly concert series showcases top national, regional and state singer-songwriters performing their handcrafted songs. This week enjoy Hayward Williams and J. Hardin on Wednesday, May 17.
Art on the Town – Celebrate Culture: Kick-off of the event series May 19, 5-8 pm. Stroll College Ave to explore and enjoy rhythm and music, performing arts, visual arts, and more.
Big Arts in the Little Apple Art Walking Tour: May 19, visit downtown businesses who will be displaying almost 700 pieces created by 3rd and 4th grade students.
Fox Cities Community Art Day @ Houdini Plaza: May 20, 10 am – 1 pm attend this family-friendly event featuring free art activities designed to bring the community together to celebrate the visual arts.
Craft Beer Week: Enjoy the art of craft beers and brews during the National Craft Beer Week May 17-21
Congressional Art Competition Exhibit @ The Trout Museum of Art: Enjoy 62 works of art produced by high school students in Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District.
Ann Herzog Wright: The Artist’s View @ The Trout Museum of Art: Enjoy her artistic works ranging from sculptures and watercolor to hand-colored etchings and pastel of elements of nature. This gallery is free and open to the public during museum hours.
These events are just a few of the wonderful arts and cultural offerings happening in Downtown Appleton; part of what is powering our creative economy movement. Arts and culture alone generate $698 billion, 4.3% of the nation’s GDP. These events excite and engage the current community members and also attract tourists and new, innovative talent to the city.